7 Tips If You Are In A Car Accident

Today Your Legal Corner will share “7 car accident tips.”

I am a glass half full type person, choosing to find the brighter side in every challenging situation. Alternatively, like most people, I do have the occasional Murphy’s Law type of day where anything that can go wrong will go wrong. In a book called Breaking Murphy’s Law, the author Suzanne C. Segerstrom, believes that optimism is not about being positive as much as it is about being motivated and persistent.

Adding to that thought is preparation. Being involved in an automobile accident is not a positive experience. Still, being prepared, knowing what to do may help minimize the negative impact of this experience. Here is a car accident checklist to consider if ever involved in an automobile accident.

1. Do not leave the scene
The law states that all accidents over $500. must be reported. However, since it is not always easy to assess the monetary value of an accident, report any and all accidents in which you are involved.

Often, one party will assure the other that we can resolve this between ourselves, only to receive a summons in the mail many months letter. For that example alone as well as many others; when involved in an accident, immediately call 911 to summon the police.

2. Exchange information
Write down the other driver’s name, home address, automobile insurance name and policy number as well as the license plate including state and number and the vehicle registration number.

3. Limit comments
Remain calm and discuss details of the accident only with the police officer at the scene of the accident. Refrain from arguing or discussing the accident with the other driver.

4.Identify witnesses
Identify all witnesses to the accident, writing down their contact information as well as license identification to ensure the witness names and address are accurate. Although most people are forthright, documentation supports accuracy.

5. Record Information
Use your cell phone to record license plate number and vehicle damage. It is not beyond the other drive especially at fault or under the influence to flee the scene of an accident. Taking a picture of the automobile tags will aide the police in finding the driver. Take a good look at the driver. Notice the hair, age, color of shirt and any other particulars.

6. Seek medical attention
In some instances, injuries do not present themselves until days after the accident. It is always best to see your physician for a clean bill of health following an automobile accident.

7. Consult attorney
Attorney consultations are in most cases free of charge. Seek out a car accident attorney (personal injury lawyer) to learn your rights under the law when involved in an automobile accident.

So while it may not be possible to see the glass as half full in all situations, when involved in an automobile accident, review the car accident check list and consult with a car accident lawyer…because knowing what to do will help make lemonade out of lemons!

Till next time, God bless, keep smiling, when Your Legal Corner will discuss “What to do when faced with an aggressive driver.”

Victoria M. Dalton is an attorney with the law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio.

For questions, contact Victoria at [email protected].

Please note that Your Legal Corner was created to provide educational articles about the law and is not legal advice.